Onboarding

As a TA, you’ll be onboarded with everything you need to support the course effectively. Here’s what you can expect during the setup process.

What you’ll find in this chapter:

Access

  • Slack Access:
    Please create a Slack account. Once you do, please let RAZ know your user name. You’ll then be added to our class Slack work space, which is the primary way we communicate as a team. Once you’ve joined, you’ll be added to the relevant channels to stay up-to-date with announcements and collaborate with the team.

    • Slack Channels:
      • all_tas - where general messages are sent for the entire TA team
      • bmwriting - where you let RAZ know your questions are ready for review
      • bmqueries - where you can get some help with BM Queries
      • emails_TA - where you can get some help with Student Emails
      • class-time - where we communicate with LAITS and Dashboard Runners (only those who need access to this have access)

  • Canvas Access:
    We’ll use your UTEID to give you access to the class Canvas page as a TA.

  • PSY 301 Team Email Access:
    Each TA will take turns monitoring the class email account. On your assigned day, you’ll also check the query form for any student submissions. Instructors on how to set up your email with the account can be found here.

  • Zoom: Setup your Zoom on the Canvas page using your zoom email to hold online office hours.

  • PSY 301 Google Drive Access: We will share a GoogleDrive (ex. PSY301 Semester Year) folder with you each semester. This is where we keep files that we share amongst the group like the Benchmark Spreadsheets, for example. Here is the link to the current PSY301 Google Drive

Scheduling and Locations

  • Office Hour Scheduling:
    Some of you will be asked to choose two hours each week for your office hours. We aim to provide availability across the weekdays, but weekend office hours are also an option if you prefer. You can do one two hour session or two one hour sessions.

  • Email and Query Form Monitor Scheduling Some of you will be asked for your preferred day to monitor the PSY 301 Team Email.

  • Location of Office Hours:
    Your office hours can be set up as recurring Zoom meetings, linked directly in the Canvas Zoom tab for students to join, or you can choose to host your office hours in person. More information on that below. -In the Fall (only), if you’re assigned to the 12:30 class, we’ll include a shared Zoom link with the 3:30 class to simplify access for students.

  • Canvas Updates:
    The weekly office hour schedule, including your availability, will be posted in the “Contacts & Office Hours” tab on Canvas for students to view. If you ever need to modify your office hours, please create an Announcement on Canvas to inform the students you have to cancel or reschedule. If possible, you should try to make up missed office hours.

Administrative Setup

  • Employment Forms:
    If you’re a new TA, you’ll work with Graduate Program Administrator Kimberly Terry, , to complete any required employment forms. You’ll also fill out a TA duties form, which outlines your responsibilities for the semester. You’ll then send this form via email to the Course Coordinator, RAZ, . RAZ will return it to you signed for you to submit.

Semester Meetings and Meet Ups

  • Kick Off Work Meeting:
    Before the semester begins, we will have a team meeting. This is a meeting the lead TA coordinates in the week before classes begin. All course team members attend, and so do Sam, Paige, and RAZ. This meeting is to introduce new TAs to the class, review responsibilities, and let returning TAs know about any new changes for the upcoming semester.

  • End-of-Semester Wrap-Up Lunch:
    At the end of the semester, we’ll get together for lunch and hang out! Chatting about how the semester went, sharing stories, and just having a good time! In the last few weeks of the semester, you will receive an email from us requesting your availability and lunch order.

Office Hours and TA Area

As a TA, you have the option to hold your office hours or work in Dr. Harden’s lab space located in the Children’s Research Center in the SEA building at the corner of Dean Keeton and Speedway at the University of Texas. The entrance to the Children’s Research Center is on the west side of Speedway, just north of Dean Keeton. This is a great opportunity to create a comfortable and accessible environment for students to drop by for support.

Children’s Research Center

We will send you instructions on how to access the lab space via email. (Do not share access details!)

In addition to using the space for office hours or working, we encourage you to connect with your fellow TAs here! Whether you’re working together, brainstorming ideas, or simply taking a break and hanging out, this space is available to support collaboration and community among the TA team. There will be some drinks, snacks, and access to a coffee maker available to you. Please swing by and enjoy! (We only ask you make sure to clean up after yourself, like cleaning the coffee maker if you use it.)

Some People and Their Roles

Course Coordinator

The Course Coordinator, RAZ, is responsible for the following tasks:

  • Running Live Lectures in the Fall:
    • Use the dashboard and gatekeeper to activate lectures, benchmarks, chats, activities, and RAS sessions.
    • In the Spring, trained TAs run the dashboard.
  • Supporting Undergraduate TAs:
    • Provide encouragement, share necessary information, and act as a point of contact for assistance.
  • Handling Escalated Comments/Issues:
    • Address any comments or issues that the Lead TA escalates for resolution.
  • Final Approval for Benchmark Questions:
    • Review and provide final approval for benchmark questions after the editing process.
  • Accommodations:
    • Serve as main point of contact for students with accommodations and accommodates them (ex. share student note taker notes, add extra time to benchmarks)
  • “Meta Mind”:
    • Know all the inner workings of the class and make sure the machine is well oiled. ;)

Lead TA Responsibilities

The Lead TA, Tia Kelley, is tasked with the following responsibilities:

  • Grade Management:
    • Release grades for Benchmarks and RAS questions.
    • Assign writing assignments and reflection portfolio review to TAs
  • Undergraduate TA Support:
    • Provide guidance and monitor undergraduate TA duties and responsibilities throughout the semester.
  • Respond to escalated student emails from undergraduate TAs.
  • Canvas Maintenance:
    • Ensure the course Canvas page is up-to-date.
  • Question Creation:
    • Write RAS questions for the course in Spring.

TA Responsibilities

  • TA and Canvas Management
    RAZ and Tia Kelley

  • Benchmark Writing
    Katarina, Emma, Oghosa, Natalie, Taylor, Avah, Rishi, Anshu

  • Benchmark Editing
    Crystal, Cynthia

  • Benchmark Grading
    Tia Kelley

  • Dashboard Runners
    RAZ, Tia Kelley,RAZ, Crystal, Tia as needed

  • Accommodations
    RAZ and Tia Kelley

  • Email Management
    Katarina, Emma, Oghosa, Natalie, Taylor, Avah, Rishi, Anshu

  • Office Hours (2 hours per week)
    Katarina, Emma, Oghosa, Natalie, Taylor, Avah, Rishi, Anshu

  • Hype Master
    Katarina

  • Studio Recruiter
    Avah

  • Reflection Portfolio Grading
    All TAs